The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by York Street Health Practice, Leeds to be Outstanding following an inspection carried out in October 2016.
Inspectors rated the practice as Outstanding for effectiveness, well-led and responsiveness, and Good for safety and caring. A full report of the inspection has been published.
Some of the highlights from the inspection included:
- There was a clear vision which had quality and safety as its top priority. The strategy to deliver this vision had been produced with stakeholders and was regularly reviewed and discussed with staff.
- Patients’ emotional and social needs were seen as equally important as their physical needs. Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
- Inspectors saw that there was wide-ranging evidence of multi-agency working, where the practice worked closely with other organisations, such as outreach services, refugee councils and homeless shelters, in ensuring services were provided to meet patients’ needs
CQC’s Chief Inspector of General Practice Professor Steve Field says:
“This is a thoroughly outstanding practice, delivering high quality care to a diverse patient population. I congratulate them on their ‘outstanding’ rating and would urge any other practice seeking to understand how it can operate in the changing arena of general practice to learn from this report.
“The term; ground-breaking is often used, in this case it is right and proper. Not only does this practice serve its established patient list it goes the extra mile. Patient communities that are difficult to reach pose a problem for any health economy. York Street Health practice actively goes out to seek them. I refer, specifically, to the work the practice does with the homeless and misplaced. It is the first GP practice nationally to receive the 2015 City of Sanctuary Health Stream Award (which recognises the important role played by the health services in the lives and well- being of asylum seekers).
“The practice liaised directly with the local hospital and accident and emergency department to identify any people who were homeless and unregistered with a GP and to support cohesive discharge planning. In addition, practice staff delivered weekly outreach sessions for the homeless. Twice a month clinicians worked through the night, to provide access to health care and support for street sex workers.
“There are numerous examples of how the York Street Health Practice is delivering top class care. Staff attended daily ‘huddle’ meetings to discuss any issues which had arisen and were motivated and inspired to offer kind and compassionate care
“From all that I have seen and read about this practice I can say it was one of the best CQC has visited. It demonstrates what can be achieved with excellent leadership and cooperation with local agencies. They are all to be congratulated - it is an exemplary practice delivering top class, patient-centred care and thoroughly deserves its rating of Outstanding.”
Ends
For media enquiries, David Fryer 07754 438750, or call the CQC press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours or out of hours on 07917 232 143. For general enquiries, call 03000 61 61 61.
The term; ground-breaking is often used, in this case it is right and proper. Not only does this practice serve its established patient list it goes the extra mile.
Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice